Demolition Plans Have Group Leader Optimistic

July 29, 1997|By ROSALINDA DeJESUS; Courant Staff Writer

Pam Venuti hopes the outcome of a citywide demolition initiative will be an improved neighborhood with worthwhile uses for vacant lots.

The chairwoman of the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group supports demolition of abandoned or blighted buildings as long as it improves the quality of life in her neighborhood. Venuti, who lives on Harwich Street, wants to see a hardware store and other businesses move in. She wants more homeowners in her neighborhood.

``I think it's pretty exciting that it's actually going to happen and there's funding for it,'' Venuti said of the demolition plans.

City Planner James A. Sequin gave an update on the demolition proposal at a meeting of the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group last week at the Barry Square community service office.

Venuti and Clare Murphy, another member of MARG, visited several buildings in their neighborhoods last weekend to determine which ones should stay on the demolition list.

``If it makes sense to have a green space or a parklike area for residents, then that's nice, but it shouldn't be a pile of rubble,'' Venuti said.

Within the next 60 days, the city will present a detailed implementation plan fora $7 million proposal that will include an updated demolition list and improvementplans for each neighborhood. The plan will be presented at neighborhood meetings.

The list, which was first released in February, will stay as it is, except for minor deletions, Sequin said.

``There really shouldn't be any surprises,'' Sequin said. ``It's really the same list. It's just been cleaned up to factor out the buildings that have been demolished or are being rehabilitated.''

It is unclear how much money will go to individual neighborhoods, but the intent is to distribute the monies evenly, said Sequin. The $7 million allocated for demolition also includes $1 million for streetscapes, lighting and park improvements.

The demolition plan is among changes the Barry Square and South End neighborhoods are undergoing. Earlier this month, Freeman Drug Store, a long-standing small business at 953 Maple Avenue, closed. The Metropolitan District Commission also is conducting a sewer reconstruction project in the area. The improvements will stop runoff of raw sewage during storms into Wethersfield Cove.

In addition, the city has granted a real estate company a six-month option to purchase the former site of Greenberg and Beatman Furniture. Luchs Associates of Glastonbury has until Oct. 30 to purchase the site. Luchs has offered $165,000 for the Maple Avenue property.

Bruno Mazzulla, deputy director of housing and community development, said there have been discussions about opening a Walgreen's drugstore at the site.

Residents have expressed concerns about off-street parking and want the new business to blend in with the surrounding residential neighborhood, Venuti said.

Meanwhile, demolition is scheduled to begin Oct. 1. The city has received $7 million from state Urban Act Funds for demolition and neighborhood improvements. In addition the city has allocated $1 million for demolition.

Sequin said the city continues to seek input from neighborhood groups and will give the demolition list to such groups for review before a final decision is made.

``It's pretty obvious that demolition is not an end to itself,'' Sequin said. ``We want to create a better living environment in each of these neighborhoods.''